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Motorola S9 Bluetooth Active Stereo Headset

Published by Akash Sablok | Filed under Accessories, BlueTooth, Reviews, Cell Phones

Motorola S9 Bluetooth Active Stereo HeadsetI went to the gym the other day armed with a new weapon. Yes, I’ll admit it, some days getting motivated to work out is as hard as actually working out. The weapon? The new Motorola S9 Bluetooth Active Stereo Headset.

A whole lot less geeky looking than other models, this new, lightweight (less than an ounce) headset is a perfect pair to your K1 KRZR, especially if you have the RED version. I say less geeky ‘coz the image of one running around and shaking/bopping your head with a wireless piece of plastic stuck on your head is still close to goofyness.

But I like it. I like it a lot. It works really well, with controls for the your phone’s music player built-in the right ear piece. If one of your geeky or non-geeky friends call you, the music will pause and you can use the S9 as a Bluetooth phone earpiece. A mic is hidden in the earpiece. Answer and hang-up the phone with the buttons on the left side and control volume with the same set of buttons.

You can use the unit with all compatible Bluetooth-enabled phones and stream music from a compatible Bluetooth-enabled stereo music phone or from a compatible Bluetooth-enabled MP3 player. There will be an iPod adapter available soon, sold in a set for about CAD$190 (CAD$150 for the headset alone).

Pairing is a very simple process. Turn it on and and if doesn’t find a previously paired phone, it will set itself into “find me” mode automatically. Charging is done with the included mini-USB adapter, the same one used to charge newer model Moto phones.

And oh yeah, I did get a great workout. The unit is water and sweat resistant and cleans easily. I rocked slowly lifted the weights with everything from AC/DC and Led Zep to Black Eye Peas and Nelly.

Tags:
June 20th, 2007


22 Responses to “Motorola S9 Bluetooth Active Stereo Headset”

  1. keith Says:
    July 8th, 2007 at 10:30 pm

    I have gone through 2 pair of the s9,the problem is with the volume controls,if they get a little moisture in them you will start having problems with them. So even a little sweat can cause them to malfunction. It’s to bad because they really are a good sounding headphone.

  2. Rusty Says:
    September 4th, 2007 at 7:23 pm

    I have also gone through 2 sets. My problem was trying to power them on - they would not turn on with a full battery. The first set was DOA, the second set lasted about 3 months. Hopefully, the replacement set will be better.

  3. John Says:
    September 20th, 2007 at 10:43 am

    I have gone thru 3 headsets with the same problem….The volume up/down does not work… Although I love the design, I’m taking this last pair back.

  4. John Says:
    February 23rd, 2008 at 9:24 am

    I am about to return my first set. Love them but the volume disappeared in the midle of a workout an the buttons won’t work.

  5. Mike Says:
    March 4th, 2008 at 5:12 pm

    I just got my S9’s yesterday and I’m having the same problem that Keith described. During my work out, a little moisture must have gotten in the unit and now the volume is stuck on high. I’m calling for an RA number tomorrow.

  6. Will Says:
    March 16th, 2008 at 10:29 am

    I have had my pair since Xmas (they were a present and I don’t have the receipt). They have suddenly developed the same problem: volume up/down stopped working. do i still have a right to take them back to shop for replacement, even without a receipt?

  7. Robert Englert Says:
    March 23rd, 2008 at 8:30 am

    I have gone through at least a dozen of these headsets. They do not work after a week or 2. I cannot get calls on my phone or I do not get any music. The people who call me can not hear me, but I can hear them. The music fades away after a week or so then the headset quits altogether.

  8. Captain R. J. Vining Says:
    April 24th, 2008 at 10:24 am

    I think I saw you on Breakfast TV in Vancouver, the thing is I think I saw you with a Laptop lap pad, ridgid with a USB powered fan for $35. I have an Avertec that runs to hot. When I checked Future Shop and London Drugs I couldn’t find it at that price, please point me in the right Direction. sincerely R J

  9. Waheed Says:
    May 6th, 2008 at 5:38 pm

    I’ve ad the same vol. problem. Went through 3 of them before giving up. too bad, otherwise a good product. Tried to inoform motorola, but they kept saying to exchange it. I want to try the new HD version, any one tried it?

  10. Ray Says:
    May 10th, 2008 at 3:12 am

    I have gone through two pairs and I have the same issue with the volume. I thought it was something requireing a reset but that did not seem to help. I did get one of them to work after not using it for a week or so. It started working fine. It certainly may be the moisture but it may also be some other flaw in the electronics. Its too bad because I find it very comfortable to wear.

  11. Joe Says:
    May 21st, 2008 at 11:44 pm

    My Headset is brand new, volume buttons don’t work for music, i can turn down media volume fine on phone, but has no effect on headset, until u turn it down all the way, then the set is muted, the music is constantly full blast, it is fucking annoying

  12. John Says:
    May 22nd, 2008 at 2:53 pm

    I have the fix for the fouled and broken Motorola S9 control buttons. When you get your replacement or first pair and before you work out (sweat) with them for the first time do the following. Buy some extra hold hair spray, look at the ingredients and choose one that doesnt have water as the first ingrediant and one that DOES include the word vinyl. I applied 3 coats to my headset allowing each to dry for 5 or 10 minutes. I took the rubber ear buds off for my first two coats. I was careful not to spray directly into the holes where the sound actually comes out. I worked out for 1.5 hours and was absolutely dripping, the controls functioned well throughout and post workout. I will continue to apply another coat before each workout. Hope this helps.

  13. Alex Says:
    June 1st, 2008 at 9:32 pm

    My headset just stopped working. I’m guessing this is a recurring problem. First my player controls began to stop working, now it’s my volume buttons. It would be a great product, if only the headset actually worked and the microphone had better reception.

  14. jim Says:
    August 11th, 2008 at 9:39 am

    Im returning my 4th pair under warranty. Motorola appears to be in denial with the repeat issue that this headset is NOT a “sports” device. Controls fail after 3-4 times used. One Moto rep actually asked if I sweat and if so, there’s nothing wrong with the S9, it’s me. I intend to continue returning until they get it right. Press Moto to pay return shipping. This issue is unacceptable.

  15. robert Says:
    September 6th, 2008 at 3:44 pm

    i love my s9. unfortunately the volume control stopped working. it is because of the moisture in the gym. The unit is good, but the switch has to be replaced. This is just a very poor design flaw. It is prohibitive to replace this unit, so in the meantime, i have to use the wired headset. i don’t know if i will get a replacement unit. I fear that the problem will just reoccur.

  16. Justin Says:
    September 8th, 2008 at 11:19 am

    I am just now returning my first set, I agree with John (#12) I am a mechanic by trade and a teacher by profession. I think I can try and create a barrier of some kind for the device to keep it from getting wet with sweat. The hair spray sounds interesting but not long term. I’ll keep you posted.

  17. P.A. Says:
    September 15th, 2008 at 2:45 pm

    Consistent issue with volume controls malfuntioning permanently during exercise that involves profuse sweating. An unexpected continuous increasing loud beep occurs and then the volume fades immediately while still connected via bluetooth. Other controls continue to work except the volume controls. This is my fourth unit. Based on the accumulating reports of similar issues in this forum Motorola’s problem resolution service model is ineffective and costly for consumers given the high price of the accessory. Will require immediate mitigation and resolution of either good faith repair or replacement and action necessary to investigate electronic issues by Motorola technical support. We will continue to petition until this can be addressed at the State and Federal level for a Class Action Lawsuit due to negligence and intentional deceitful practises to mislead the general public in product claims and lack thereof a suitable follow up plan to mitigate consumer reported issues and concerns. The retail price of this product is equal to or more to a persons one, two, or three day income. Therefore a consumer with such limited income is relying on good faith product claims and superior customer service and technical support.

  18. F.M. Says:
    September 18th, 2008 at 7:51 pm

    I have enjoyed these headphones for quite some time, but on my most recent workout, the volume buttons quit working, and then the volume went out all together, I was also unable to adjust the volume on my phone it was just a constant volume. It has been the most annoying thing getting it to pair up with the iPhone and using the bluetooth adapter at the same time. When it worked, it was great, but now it doesnt and it is slightly satisfying to hear I am not the only one with the problem, so it isnt just my set. I will be contacting Moto for a replacement, seeing as they are not that old

  19. E Silva Says:
    September 24th, 2008 at 8:06 am

    I loved this headphone (at first) and bought a second pair to have at the office. Now I have two headphones that do not work. I used the first one to work out and now I cannot get the volume to stay where I want, it always go all the way down. The second pair is not working either, not at all - no sound!

  20. Dan Says:
    October 22nd, 2008 at 1:39 am

    After 2 weeks of careful usage the increase volume button stop working during the gym workout.Do you know any other other brand that have a similar product ?

    Cheers,
    Dan

  21. Ed Says:
    November 9th, 2008 at 12:20 pm

    I’m on my first S9 - love everything about the S9 except battery life is a little weak and (and this is the recurring problem everyone else is having) the headset just doesn’t work if you use it to workout.

    Seems many of us are experiencing the same problems - the buttons on the unit (volume, next/previous) stop working (permanently), but more problematic, the volume changes all by itself, and keeps going down or up, giving you a beep to say it reached the limit, and then continuously beping until you turn off the device. So the conclusion is that, as soon as you start to sweat, the device has to be rebooted before you can use it again (unless you like the sound of the beep every second).

    I called Motorola, like others have reported, and they are not offering refunds, only replacements. And they will only honor the warranty on the first device. So, if one year from the purchase of the original S9 they still haven’t worked out the problem, you’re stuck with a faulty device. Quite frankly, the device is not sweat-resistant like it says on the box.

    I called Motorola today and am getting my second S9 shipped. The device they are shipping is an S9-HD which is supposed to give better sound, but it also has a line in small print that is interesting and hopeful. Where the S9 is listed as sweat-resistant, the S9-HD is listed as sweat-proof. Could it be that the S9-HD is the answer? Only time will tell (and given the history, that’s only about one 4-mile run).

    If anyone knows of another device that offers sweat-proof or sweat-resistant, (and can actually prove the device will actually work when you sweat, unlike the S9), let us all know…

  22. Ed Says:
    November 15th, 2008 at 6:55 am

    UPDATE - Read my post from 9Nov - I received the replacement headset (my second S9) - Motorola shipped the wrong device - they sent me another S9 - they were supposed to send an S9-HD. Problems continue. I’m told that the S9-HD is being shipped…

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